Reign In Forecast: Diana, Sons To Visit Disney

August 24, 1993|By Craig Dezern and Christopher Quinn of The Sentinel Staff

England's Princess Diana and her two sons arrive this afternoon for a three-day visit to Walt Disney World.

Which raises the question: Will they bother to pose for a picture in front of the castle?

Diana is bringing Prince William, 11, and Prince Harry, 8, but not her estranged husband and heir to the throne, Prince Charles.

''Her request was to be here for a low-key vacation with her children,'' said Capt. R. Roger Clark of the Orange County Sheriff's Office. ''A holiday - that's what they call it over there.''

Disney officials would neither confirm nor deny the royal visit, but sheriff's spokesman Deputy Carlos Padilla said deputies will escort the princess to the Grand Floridian, one of Disney's plushest resorts.

''Our role is going to be only to take her and her party from international airport to Disney property,'' Clark said.

From there, British security officers will take over, aided by a liaison from the U.S. State Department, a State Department spokesman said.

Just three weeks ago Diana - hounded by tabloid photographers - all but swore off vacations.

''There seems little point in going away because I don't ever get a break,'' the beleaguered princess complained, shortly before a trip to Bali. ''They follow me everywhere I go, and I'd just like some peace and quiet.''

She may find peace at the Grand Floridian - where the best room features French doors, marble floors and lots of mirrors; where both bedrooms boast more-than-king-sized beds; where plush robes, fresh flowers and magnificent views are included for $1,450 a night; and where tea is served from 3 to 5 p.m. daily.

Diana is unlikely to find quiet at a Disney theme park during the crowded summer season, but she can expect special treatment to make the August heat a little more bearable.

While avowing that ''anyone who comes to Disney World is a VIP,'' spokesman Greg Albrecht admitted that some VIPs are more I than others.

''There are certain people who, no matter what you do, you can't disguise them. They're very recognizable,'' he said.

And when their celebrity or prominence creates a safety risk for these people or park visitors, Disney accommodates them by providing a tour guide and letting them cut to the front of the lines.

Diana and the little princes - who are in line for the throne behind Charles - are the highest-ranking British royals to visit a Disney park.

Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, visited California's Disneyland two years ago and Princess Anne before her. Prince Andrew visited Orlando's Magic Kingdom with some shipmates during his navy days of the early '80s.

Still, Disney World has a steady stream of dignitaries and celebrities, Albrecht said, while not admitting that Diana would be among them.

''One of the key things we do,'' Albrecht said, ''is try to keep it as low profile as we can so the media don't find out about it.''